Psyllium Fumigated with Methyl Bromide

ABSTRACT

A method for fumigating psyllium husk. The method comprises filling a fumigation chamber with psyllium husk chamber is at least 35% filled with bags of psyllium husk, fumigating the psyllium husk with at least 40 g/m 3  of methyl bromide for at least 24 hours, and degassing the chamber for at least 6 hours to form fumigated psyllium husk. The fumigated psyllium husk comprises less than 50 ppm inorganic bromide residue and the fumigated psyllium husk does not comprise an insect infestation or a khapra beetle infestation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/716,710 filed Oct. 22, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a method for producing afumigated psyllium husk product with less than about 50 ppm inorganicbromide residue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agriculture products are often fumigated to control pests, includinginsects, plant pathogens, weeds, mollusks, nematodes, vertebras, andmicrobes that can destroy property, cause nuisance, spread disease orare vectors for disease.

Psyllium and other grains are often fumigated with methyl bromide, whichis an effective fumigant since it is highly toxic to most pests.However, methyl bromide can create residual inorganic bromide in thefumigated products. USP <561> has established that 50 ppm is the maximumamount of inorganic bromide residue that can be in or on grains, such aspsyllium.

When processing psyllium, including psyllium husk, it can be difficultto fumigate with enough methyl bromide that the pests, especially thekhapra beetle and other insects, are destroyed while maintaining a levelof inorganic bromide residue that is less than 50 ppm. The USDArecommends treating grains not for propagation with a minimum of 40 g/m³of methyl bromide at 21° C. or greater. However, when this level is usedwith psyllium the fumigation can result in inorganic bromide residuethat is greater than 50 ppm, which results in psyllium that does notmeet compendia and must be discarded.

There is a need for an effective method to fumigate psyllium, includingpsyllium husk, with methyl bromide where the fumigated psylliumcomprises less than 50 ppm inorganic bromide residue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for fumigating psyllium comprising: (a) filling a fumigationchamber with psyllium husk such that the chamber is at least 35% filledby volume with bags of psyllium husk; (b) fumigating the psyllium huskwith at least about 40 g/m³ of methyl bromide for at least 24 hours; (c)degassing the chamber for at least about 6 hours to form fumigatedpsyllium husk; wherein the fumigated psyllium husk comprises less thanabout 50 ppm inorganic bromide residue and wherein the fumigatedpsyllium husk does not comprise an insect infestation and the fumigatedpsyllium husk does not comprise a khapra beetle infestation.

A method for fumigating psyllium husk comprising: (a) filling a shippingcontainer with psyllium husk such that the shipping container comprisesfrom about 40 kg to about 100 kg psyllium husk per m³ of the shippingcontainer; (b) fumigating the psyllium husk with about 30 g/m³ to about70 g/m³ of methyl bromide for about 12 hours to about 36 hours; (c)degassing the chamber for at least 4 hours to form fumigated psylliumhusk; wherein the fumigated psyllium husk comprises less than about 50ppm inorganic bromide residue and wherein the psyllium husk does notcomprise an insect infestation and the fumigated psyllium husk does notcomprise a khapra beetle infestation and wherein the psyllium husk isstored in one or more bags.

A method for providing fumigated and sanitized psyllium husk comprising:(a) filling a fumigation chamber with psyllium husk such that thechamber comprises about 35% to about 50% psyllium husk by volume; (b)fumigating the psyllium husk with at least about 40 g/m³ of methylbromide for at least about 24 hours; (c) degassing the chamber for atleast about 6 hours to form fumigated psyllium husk; (d) steamsanitizing the psyllium husk; wherein the fumigation is performed at atemperature that is less than or equal to about 40° C.; wherein thefumigated psyllium husk comprises less than about 50 ppm inorganicbromide residue and wherein the fumigated psyllium husk does notcomprise an insect infestation and the fumigated psyllium husk does notcomprise a khapra beetle infestation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the residual inorganic bromide over the mass of psylliumhusk in the chamber when the psyllium husk was placed in a jute bag;

FIG. 2 shows the residual inorganic bromide over the mass of psylliumhusk in the chamber when the psyllium husk was placed in a polypropylenebag;

FIG. 3A shows the predicted residual inorganic bromide from August 2010to January 2013, based on the average daily temperature in Ahmedabad,India in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 3B shows the daily temperature including the average dailytemperature in Ahmedabad, India from August 2010 to January 2013;

FIG. 3C shows the fumigation chamber that was used for the modeling inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A shows the temperature profile over time for an unshelteredshipping container during fumigation and off gassing; and

FIG. 4B shows the temperature profile over time for a sheltered shippingcontainer during fumigation and off gassing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of fumigating psyllium wherethe fumigated psyllium comprises less than about 50 ppm inorganicbromide residue and is substantially free of pests. The method involvesfumigating psyllium husk in bags made of natural fiber, for example jutebags. The bags are placed in a fumigation chamber so the fumigationchamber comprises at least about 50 kg psyllium husk per m³ of thechamber. In one example, the fumigation chamber is a shipping container.Current methods can use too few bags of psyllium husk in the chamber andthe levels of inorganic bromide in or on the finished product can beabove 50 ppm. However, if too many bags of psyllium husk are loaded intothe fumigation chamber then, the chamber is too full and the methylbromide cannot circulate properly and destroy the pests. The psylliumhusk is treated with about 40 g/m³ of methyl bromide for a suitableamount of time, such as, for example, about 24 hours, and then thechamber is degassed for a suitable amount of time, such as, for example,about 6 hours. Surprisingly, psyllium husk that is fumigated using thepresent invention does not have an insect or khapra beetle infestation.

In one example, the psyllium husk can only be fumigated with methylbromide one time. In one example, other means can be used for furtherpest control and/or sanitation. In one example, after the psyllium huskis fumigated it is steam sanitized.

In one example, the fumigated product comprises less than about 50 ppminorganic bromide residue, in another example less than about 45 ppminorganic bromide residue, in another example less than about 40 ppminorganic bromide residue, in another example less than about 35 ppminorganic bromide residue, in another example less than about 30 ppminorganic bromide residue, in another example less than about 25 ppminorganic bromide residue, in another example less than about 15 ppminorganic bromide residue, in another example less than about 10 ppminorganic bromide residue, and in another example less than about 5 ppminorganic bromide residue.

In one example, the psyllium husk is treated with about 20 to about 100g/m³ of methyl bromide, in another example about 25 to about 80 g/m³ ofmethyl bromide, in another example about 30 to about 70 g/m³ of methylbromide, in another example about 35 to about 50 g/m³ of methyl bromide,and in another example about 38 to about 45 g/m³ of methyl bromide. Inone example, the psyllium husk is treated with about 40 g/m³ of methylbromide.

In one example, the density of the psyllium husk in the fumigationchamber comprises about 25 to about 150 kg psyllium husk per m³ ofchamber, in another example about 35 to about 125 kg psyllium husk perm³ of chamber, in another example about 40 to about 100 kg psyllium huskper m³ of chamber, in another example about 45 to about 75 kg psylliumhusk per m³ of chamber, about 50 to about 70 kg psyllium husk per m³ ofchamber, another example about 53 to about 57 kg psyllium husk per m³ ofchamber, and in one example about 55 to about 56 kg psyllium husk per m³of chamber.

In another example, the fumigation chamber is loaded so it containsabout 20% to about 80% psyllium husk by volume, in another example about25% to about 75% psyllium husk by volume, in another example about 30%to about 65% psyllium husk by volume, in another example about 33% toabout 55% psyllium husk by volume, in another example about 35% to about50% psyllium husk by volume, in another example about 38% to about 45%psyllium husk by volume, and in another example about 40% to about 44%psyllium husk by volume. In one example, the chamber comprises about 42%psyllium husk by volume.

In another example, once the fumigation chamber is loaded with psylliumhusk it comprises about 20% to about 80% empty space, in another exampleabout 25% to about 75% empty space by volume, in another example about35% to about 70% empty space by volume, in another example about 45% toabout 77% empty space by volume, in another example about 50% to about65% empty space by volume, in another example about 55% to about 62%empty space by volume, in another example about 56% to about 60% emptyspace by volume. In one example, the chamber comprises about 58% emptyspace by volume. Empty space can include air but does not includepsyllium, including psyllium husk, in bags.

The fumigation chamber can be filled with any suitable mass of psylliumhusk and the mass can depend on the size of the chamber. In one example,the chamber is loaded with about 5000 kg to about 15,000 kg psylliumhusk, in another example about 7000 kg to about 12,000 kg psyllium husk,in another example about 8500 kg to about 10,500 kg psyllium husk, andin another example about 9000 kg to about 10,000 kg psyllium husk. Inone example, the chamber is loaded with about 9500 kg psyllium husk. Inanother example, the chamber is loaded with about 15,000 kg to about25,000 kg psyllium husk, in another example about 16,000 kg to about22,000 kg, in another example about 17,000 kg to about 21,000 kg, and inanother example about 18,000 kg to about 20,000 kg. In one example, thechamber is loaded with 19,000 kg of psyllium husk.

The fumigation chamber can be any volume. In one example, the volume ofthe chamber can be from about 50 to about 300 m³, in another exampleabout 75 to about 275 m³, in another example about 150 to about 250 m³,and in another example about 200 m³ to about 230 m³. The chamber can beany height. In one example, the chamber is about 1 to about 5 m tall, inanother example about 2 to about 4 m tall, and in another example thechamber is about 3 m tall.

The bags filled with psyllium husk can be made out of any suitablematerial. In one example, the bags are made out of jute. In anotherexample, the bags are made out of a natural fiber. In one example, thebags are made out of any breathable material. In another example, thebags are made out of cloth, canvas, cotton, or combinations thereof. Inanother example, the bags are made out of a synthetic material.

The bags filled with psyllium husk can be any suitable size. In oneexample the bags can be from about 20 kg to about 100 kg, in anotherexample about 25 kg to about 80 kg, in another example about 30 kg toabout 78 kg, in another example about 33 kg to about 75 kg, in anotherexample about 35 kg to about 65 kg, and in another example about 37 kgto about 50 kg. In one example, the bag is about 38 kg. In anotherexample the bag is about 75 kg.

The method for producing a fumigated psyllium product, includingfumigated psyllium husk, with less than about 50 ppm inorganic bromideresidue can be performed as follows:

First, the psyllium husk can be separated from the psyllium seed. Thepsyllium seed can be discarded and only the psyllium husk is fumigated.While not willing to be bound by theory, it is believed that psylliumseed absorbs too much methyl bromide which degrades to inorganic bromidereside. Therefore, if the psyllium husk and seed are fumigated togetherand then separated, the psyllium husk can comprise more than about 50ppm psyllium.

The psyllium husk can comprise small amounts of psyllium seed and/orother organic components. In one example the psyllium husk comprises atleast about 90% husk, in another example the psyllium husk comprises atleast about 93% husk, in another example at least about 95% husk, inanother example at least about 97% husk, and in another example at leastabout 99% husk.

The psyllium husk can then be fumigated. The psyllium husk can bepackaged in jute bags. While not willing to be bound by theory, it isbelieved that jute bags reduce the level of inorganic bromide residue inor on the fumigated psyllium husk because jute bags are more permeablethan polyethylene bags. The psyllium husk can be placed in any bag thathas a similar permeability to jute.

Before fumigation begins the fumigation chamber can be cleaned and atarpaulin sheet can be placed on the floor. The tarpaulin sheet can beany material. Non-limiting examples of materials for tarpaulin sheetscan include cloth such as canvas, polyester, polyethylene, andcombinations thereof. In one example, the tauplin sheet is made fromplastic.

Next, the empty room volume can be calculated and then methyl bromidedosages can be calculated. The methyl bromide dosages are calculated sothe air in the fumigation chamber comprises approximately 34,500 ppm ofmethyl bromine with an air density of 1210 g/m³ at sea level. Therecommended methyl bromide dosages for fumigating psyllium husk in jutebags can be found in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Temperature Concentration    ≧21° C. 40 g/m³ 16° C.-20° C. 48g/m³ 11° C.-15° C. 56 g/m³

Surprisingly, it has been found that one factor that impacts the amountof inorganic bromide residue can be the ambient air temperature. If thetemperature is too high, then the fumigation should not be performedbecause the level of inorganic bromide in some lots could be too highand there is a possibility that too many lots of fumigated psyllium huskwould have to be discarded. In one example, the psyllium husk fumigationoccurs at a temperature of less than or equal to about 30° C., inanother example less than or equal to about 33° C., in another exampleless than or equal to about 35° C., in another example less than orequal to about 38° C., in another example less than or equal to about40° C., in another example less than or equal to about 43° C., and inanother example less than or equal to about 45° C. In another example,the psyllium husk fumigation occurs at a temperature greater than about4.4° C., in another example greater than about 11° C.

Next, the jute bags filled with psyllium husk can be placed in thefumigation chamber. The jute bags can be placed in a way that allowsgood air circulation. If there is not good air circulation then thepsyllium husk may not get properly fumigated and there could be pests inthe fumigated product. However, if too few bags are loaded into thechamber then the psyllium husk can be exposed to too much methyl bromideand the fumigated product can comprise more than about 50 ppm inorganicbromide residue.

The jute bags filled with psyllium husk can be exposed to the methylbromide gas for fumigation for an exposure period. If the psyllium huskis not fumigated for long enough then all of the pests, including larvaand eggs, may not be destroyed. However, if the psyllium husk isfumigated for too long, then the levels of inorganic bromide that is inor on the fumigated psyllium husk can be too high. In one example, theexposure period can be for about 12 hours to about 36 hours, in anotherexample from about 16 hours to about 32 hours, in another example about18 hours to about 30 hours, in another example about 20 hours to about28 hours, in another example about 22 hours to about 26 hours, and inanother example about 23 hours to about 25 hours. In one example, theexposure period can be for about 24 hours.

After the fumigation is complete, jute bags are left in the chamber foroff gassing by any suitable method including opening the door, flushingwith fresh air, and/or using fans to exhaust the chamber. In oneexample, the jute bags are off gassed for at least about 4 hours, inanother example for at least about 5 hours, in another example for atleast about 6 hours, in another example for at least about 8 hours, inanother example for at least about 10 hours, and in another example atleast about 12 hours. In one example, the jute bags are off gassed forabout 6 hours. In another example, you can off gas until the chamber hasabout 5 ppm or less.

In one example, the psyllium husk can be fumigated one time with methylbromide. If the psyllium husk is placed in another container afterfumigation, the other container can be fumigated separately. The jutebags of fumigated psyllium husk can be placed in large containers forshipping (hereinafter “shipping container”). In one example, theshipping container can be fumigated with methyl bromide before puttingthe fumigated psyllium husk inside. In another example, the shippingcontainer can be the fumigation chamber and the psyllium husk can befumigated inside the shipping container and then shipped without beingtransferred to another container. Fumigating in the shipping containercan be advantageous because it prevents pests from entering thefumigated psyllium husk before it is put in the shipping container.

Any suitable shipping container can be used. In one example, theshipping container can be sealed, such as a standard shipping containeror a refrigerated container (also referred to as a porthole container oran insulated container). In another example, the shipping container canbe ventilated, which can help reduce moisture and/or humidity within thecontainer. Non-limiting examples of ventilated shipping containers caninclude passively ventilated containers (also known as coffeecontainers), refrigerated containers, and open containers. If an opencontainer is used it can be covered with a covering, such as atarpaulin, to protect the cargo.

It has been found that the shipping container can be significantlywarmer than the ambient temperature. For instance, if the ambienttemperature is about 25° C., the air temperature inside a brown-paintedsteel shipping container rises to approximately 50° C., however if thesame steel shipping container is painted white, the temperature onlyrises to about 38° C. In one example, the shipping container can bepainted a light color, such as white, in order to reduce the temperatureinside the shipping container.

In one example, to help control the internal temperature of thefumigation chamber, the fumigation chamber can be sheltered from thesun. In one example, a roof, that can be to a car port, can be built toshield the fumigation chamber from the sun, thereby reducing the ambienttemperature within the fumigation chamber. In one example, thefumigation chamber is a shipping container and the shipping containercan be painted a light color and/or sheltered from the sun.

The inorganic bromide residue can be measured using the method describedin Bromine Containing Fumigants Determined as Total Inorganic Bromidepublished by the Community Reference Laboratory for Single ResidueMethods, CVUA Stuttgart, Schaflandstr. 3/2, 70736 Fellbach, Germany(Nov. 11, 2008).

During storage, the pest population can be monitored regularly. Anysuitable manner, including visual inspection or the USP Psyllium HuskMonograph, can be used to make sure that the psyllium husk issubstantially free of pests. Visual inspection can include monitoringthe pest population daily by monitoring the outside of the jute bags orthe exterior of the super sacks, which are 950 kg weave bags that holdmultiple jute bags, for signs of insects or visual inspection caninclude taking 200 g to 500 g of psyllium husk from the bags andchecking to see if there are insects.

Substantially free of pests can mean that there is not an insectinfestation according to the USP Psyllium Husk Monograph which definesan insect infestation as not more than 400 insect fragments, includingmites and psocids per 25 g of powdered psyllium husk or not more than100 insect fragments, including mites and psocids per 25 g of psylliumhusk. If there is an insect infestation, the fumigated psyllium huskfails the Insect Infestation Test and cannot be shipped to the UnitedStates and is discarded.

The psyllium husk can also be substantially free of the khapra beetle,which means that no living khapra beetle insects, larva, or eggs arefound by using visual inspection. Fumigated psyllium husk that containsevidence of living khapra beetles cannot be shipped into the UnitedStates and are discarded.

EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 1 shows the residual inorganic bromide over the specific volume inthe chamber when the psyllium husk was placed in a jute bag. Thepsyllium husk was loaded into jute bags and placed in a chamber with afixed volume. The amount of psyllium husk that was loaded into thechamber was varied. The psyllium husk was fumigated with methyl bromideat a concentration of 40 ppm for 24 hours. Following fumigation, thechamber was degas sed for 6 hours. After 1-2 weeks, the inorganicbromide was measured and recorded. FIG. 1 shows that as more psylliumhusk is loaded into the chamber, there is less residual inorganicbromide on the fumigated psyllium husk.

EXAMPLE 2

FIG. 2 shows the residual inorganic bromide over the specific volume inthe chamber when the psyllium husk was placed in a polypropylene bag.The polypropylene bag, of Example 2, is less permeable than the jute bagof Example 1. The chamber volume in Example 2 was fixed and was onethird smaller than the chamber volume in Example 1. The psyllium huskwas fumigated with methyl bromide at a concentration of 40 ppm for 24hours. Following fumigation, the chamber was degassed for 6 hours. After1-2 weeks, the inorganic bromide was measured and recorded. Again, FIG.2 shows that as more psyllium husk is loaded into the chamber, there isless residual inorganic bromide. However, as compared to FIG. 1 inExample 1, more residual inorganic bromide was present when using thepolypropylene bag. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it isbelieved that the less permeable bags trap the methyl bromide duringdegassing resulting in a higher concentration of inorganic bromide in oron the fumigated psyllium husk and in order to have a fumigated productwith less than 50 ppm inorganic bromide, the fumigation chamber wouldhave to be tightly packed which could decrease the air flow andresulting in pests in the fumigated product.

EXAMPLE 3

FIG. 3A shows the predicted average residual inorganic bromide level onpsyllium husk and the predicted residual bromide level within two andthree standard deviations between August 2010 and January 2013, if themethod described herein was performed in Ahmedabad, India. The model wascreated using the temperature information from FIG. 3B, which shows thedaily temperature in Ahmedabad, India from August 2010 to January 2013.In FIG. 3B, the thick line in the center shows the average dailytemperature and the high and the low temperature are represented by thethinner lines that are vertical on the chart.

FIG. 3A shows that heat is an important contributing factor for theamount of residual inorganic bromide and the warmer the temperature, themore residual inorganic bromide is on the psyllium husk. It can becostly and detrimental to the supply chain if psyllium husk has to bediscarded because the residual inorganic bromide level is above theaccepted amount, which is currently 50 ppm. Therefore, in order to bewithin three standard deviations, which means that the predicted failurerate is less than or equal to about 1.5 failures per 1000 lots, thepsyllium husk must be fumigated at less than about 35° C. (95° F.). Inorder to be within two standard deviations, which means that thepredicted failure rate is less than or equal to about 2.5 failures per100 lots, the psyllium husk must be fumigated at less than about 40° C.(104° F.).

The current guidance states that the methyl bromide dosages forfumigation should decrease as the air temperature increases. The currentguidance states that at temperatures greater than or equal to 21° C., 40g/m³ of fumigant should be used (see Table 1 herein) and the guidanceincludes no upper limit. However, based on the model herein, if thetemperatures get too high, the psyllium husk should not be fumigatedbecause there is a chance that the residual bromide residue will be atan unacceptable level. This is especially relevant, because psyllium isfrequently grown and fumigated in India, where it can get very warm,especially during the summer months.

The model for FIG. 3A was made as follows: Fumigation was conducted at alaboratory scale with 40 g to 400 g of psyllium husk in a 1 ft³fumigation chamber. FIG. 3C shows fumigation chamber 1. Psyllium husksamples 10 were placed inside fumigation chamber 1 on perforated floor11 and below perforated floor 11 is circulating fan 12. The humidity wascontrolled either by placing a saturated salt solution within thechamber below the floor or pre-equilibrating the samples for a few daysin a sealed chamber with a saturated salt solution. Then, a samplepopulation of live insects was sealed in a vial and place below thefloor. Two replicate chambers were placed into a constant temperaturechamber for the prescribed period of time for the fumigation exposure.Once the prescribed time elapsed, the chamber door was opened to offgas, then the samples were removed for testing and insect mortality wasconfirmed. Samples were fumigated for 3 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours.Since the chamber is small, in comparison to the large scale fumigation,off gassing only takes a couple of minutes and can be done by openingthe chamber door.

Samples of the psyllium husk were tested for amount of residualinorganic bromide as described herein. The results were analyzed and akinetic model was determined and is shown in the following expression.

Residue=t*e ^(A) *e ^(B/T(K)) *e ^(E*Pre EQ % RH) *e ^(D*Conc.) *e^({c*t +F*G})

Residue=t*e ^(14.65745) *e ^(-4192.224/T(K)) *e ^(0.3579591*Pre EQ % RH)*e ^(2.7264e-05*Conc.) *e^({-0.042662*t+2.7364e-06*(Conc.-11055.5)*(1-13.4545)})

Assuming t=24 hours and Conc.=600 mg/kg this expression was used topredict a seasonal variation in residue based on climate weather datafrom Ahmedabad, India. An estimate of individual sample variation wasmade using a 46% relative standard deviation (RSD) based on the modelroot mean square error (RMSE) of 0.399945 compared to the mean responseof 0.869657 or about 46% (0.399945/0.869657) and a +3 sigma and +2 sigmaestimate was made.

EXAMPLE 4

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the temperature of different portions of thecontainer over a period of about two days during fumigation and offgassing. Temperature data-loggers were placed on top of the container,inside the container on the top to get a representation of the ambienttemperature within the container, within the container below the gasinlet port, and beneath the psyllium sacks. The fumigation was startedbetween 23:00 MDT (Mountain Time Zone) on Oct. 13, 2013 and 01:10 MDT.The fumigation ended and the off gassing began between 11:30 MDT on Oct.14, 2013 and 01:17 MDT on Oct. 15, 2013 and continued for 32 to 77minutes. FIG. 4A shows the temperature profile for an unshelteredshipping container, Container A. FIG. 4B shows the temperature profilefor three sheltered shipping containers, Container B, C, and D.

Table 2, below, shows the mean kinetic temperature of the differentportions of the shipping containers.

TABLE 2 Unsheltered Sheltered Temperature Temperature (° C.) (° C.)Container A B C D Outside on top 50.8 42.8 43.2 43.1 Inside on top 42.233.1 33.0 32.4 Below the gas inlet port 31.4 29.8 29.2 29.3 Beneath thepsyllium sacks 31.8 29.7 29.2 28.6

The sheltered containers resulted in an approximately 9° C. decreaseinside the container on the top, which represents the ambienttemperature, based on the mean kinetic temperature summarized in Table2. The sheltered container also resulted in an approximately 9° C.decrease outside but on top of the container. However, there was not asignificant difference in temperature between the temperature beneaththe container and inside on the bottom of the container.

Sheltering the fumigation chamber, which can be a shipping container,can result in less residue due to the reduced temperatures inside thefumigation chamber. In some examples, the fumigation can occur when theair temperature is warmer. In one example, the psyllium husk fumigationoccurs at a temperature of less than or equal to about 35° C., inanother example less than or equal to about 39° C., in another exampleless than or equal to about 41° C., in another example less than orequal to about 43° C., in another example less than or equal to about46° C., in another example less than or equal to about 48° C., and inanother example less than or equal to about 51° C.

Values disclosed herein as ends of ranges are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each numerical range is intended to meanboth the recited values and any integers within the range. For example arange disclosed as “1 to 10” is intended to mean “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10.”

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for fumigating psyllium comprising: a.filling a fumigation chamber with psyllium husk such that the chamber isat least 35% filled by volume with bags of psyllium husk; b. fumigatingthe psyllium husk with at least about 40 g/m³ of methyl bromide for atleast 24 hours; c. degassing the chamber for at least about 6 hours toform fumigated psyllium husk; wherein the fumigated psyllium huskcomprises less than about 50 ppm inorganic bromide residue and whereinthe fumigated psyllium husk does not comprise an insect infestation andthe fumigated psyllium husk does not comprise a khapra beetleinfestation.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising steamsanitizing the fumigated psyllium husk.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising fumigating a shipping container and putting the fumigatedpsyllium husk in the shipping container.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein the fumigation chamber comprises from about 50 to about 70 kgpsyllium husk per m³ of the chamber.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinthe fumigation chamber comprises about 7000 k g to about 12,000 kgpsyllium husk.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the fumigation chambercomprises about 15,000 kg to about 25,000 kg psyllium husk.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the fumigation chamber is a shippingcontainer.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the fumigation is performedat a temperature that is less than or equal to about 45° C.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the fumigation is performed at a temperaturethat is less than or equal to about 40° C.
 10. A method for fumigatingpsyllium husk comprising: a. filling a shipping container with psylliumhusk such that the shipping container comprises from about 40 kg toabout 100 kg psyllium husk per m³ of the shipping container; b.fumigating the psyllium husk with about 30 g/m³ to about 70 g/m³ ofmethyl bromide for about 12 hours to about 36 hours; c. degassing thechamber for at least 4 hours to form fumigated psyllium husk; whereinthe fumigated psyllium husk comprises less than about 50 ppm inorganicbromide residue and wherein the psyllium husk does not comprise aninsect infestation and the fumigated psyllium husk does not comprise akhapra beetle infestation and wherein the psyllium husk is stored in oneor more bags.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the shipping containercomprises from about 30% to about 65% bags of psyllium husk by volume.12. The method of claim 10 wherein the shipping container comprises fromabout 35% to about 50% bags of psyllium husk by volume.
 13. The methodof claim 10 wherein the shipping container comprises from about 45% toabout 77% empty space by volume.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein eachbag of psyllium husk weighs from about 25 kg to about 80 kg.
 15. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the bags of psyllium husk comprises naturalfibers.
 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the bags of psyllium huskcomprise jute.
 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the shipping containercomprises a top side and wherein the top side is painted white.
 18. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the fumigation is performed at a temperaturethat is less than or equal to about 45° C.
 19. The method of claim 10wherein the fumigation is performed at a temperature that is less thanor equal to about 35° C.
 20. A method for providing fumigated andsanitized psyllium husk comprising: a. filling a fumigation chamber withpsyllium husk such that the chamber comprises about 35% to about 50%psyllium husk by volume; b. fumigating the psyllium husk with at leastabout 40 g/m³ of methyl bromide for at least about 24 hours; c.degassing the chamber for at least about 6 hours to form fumigatedpsyllium husk; d. steam sanitizing the psyllium husk; wherein thefumigation is performed at a temperature that is less than or equal toabout 40° C.; wherein the fumigated psyllium husk comprises less thanabout 50 ppm inorganic bromide residue and wherein the fumigatedpsyllium husk does not comprise an insect infestation and the fumigatedpsyllium husk does not comprise a khapra beetle infestation.